Police searching for car thief, stolen firearms

Police are searching for a man who stole an SUV full of firearms from a Peoria parking lot in May.

The SUV, owned by an employee at a local gun store, was stolen from the Diamond Shamrock parking lot near 83rd and Cactus on May 26, 2012 around 12:45 p.m. The victim had car trouble and transferred the belongings of his car into one owned by a relative.

The suspect allegedly stole the SUV, along with 20 firearms, after the victim transferred his belongings.

“This was a crime of opportunity,” said Amanda Jacinto with Peoria Police. “I don’t know whether or not he knew he was getting away with these weapons, but he did get away with those firearms, as well as the vehicle.”

The stolen vehicle was recovered, but the firearms were not and the suspect remains at large.

The suspect is described as being a light-skinned Hispanic male standing about 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 lbs. He has dark hair in a crew-cut style. He is about 25-years-old and has a large, colorful tattoo on his left forearm and smaller, colorful tattoos on the inside of his right forearm.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Peoria Police Department at (623) 773-7045.